Your skin is your wardrobe’s best accessory. It can make or break an outfit, and it’s the first thing people see when they meet you. So why neglect it? A good skincare routine is the key to healthy, happy skin — no matter your age or skin type.
But what should your routine look like? And, more importantly, in what order should you layer your products? The order of your skincare routine is important. The order you apply your products can affect how well they work — and how well they play together.
Here’s an essential guide to layering your skincare products and how to get the most out of your skincare set of products.
The Importance of a Good Skincare Routine
A good skincare routine is vital for everyone, regardless of age, skin type or gender. A good skincare routine is simple: cleanse, tone, moisturize. But you can tailor your routine to fit your specific needs. For example, if you have oily skin, you might want to add an exfoliator to your routine. If you have dry skin, you might want to add an oil or special moisturizer.
Finding the right products and the proper order for your routine can be tricky, but it’s worth it in the end. A good skincare routine can make you look and feel better — and it’s one less thing to worry about in life.
Layering the Products in Your Skincare Routine
If you’re ever confused, change up your products or forget all the sage advice we have below, just remember this one good rule. Start by cleansing, and then go from light products with a thin consistency and work toward thicker or heavier ones to round things out. By following this method, you’ll ensure that all the active ingredients in the skincare products you’re using are delivered in the correct order and at their most effective concentrations.
Now let’s take a closer look at what your daytime and evening skincare routines should look like when appropriately layered.
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Daytime Skincare Routine – A daytime skincare routine focuses on cleansing, protecting and hydrating the skin. In most cases, you’ll want to follow these steps:
1) Cleanser – When it comes to cleansing your skin, it’s essential to start with a gentle cream cleanser. A cream cleanser is ideal for removing everyday dirt and grime. It’s also gentle enough for daily use, making it the perfect choice for those with sensitive skin.
2) Toner – Skip the old-school, alcohol-based toners and reach for one with hydrating properties. If your current toner smells more like your nail polish remover than other products in your skincare routine, it’s best to replace it. A toner’s job is to help refresh your skin and prime it for the next steps in your skincare routine. It should never strip it of its natural moisture.
3) Serum – A simple way to think about serums is they’re like the little black dress of your skincare wardrobe. They work well with any outfit and can be worn by anyone. Serums are typically packed with active ingredients that target a specific issue, such as wrinkles, dryness or acne.
4) Eye Cream – Some folks might think that eye creams are just another moisturizer, so you may be asking yourself why they’re not just lumped in. Well, most tend to be lighter or thinner. So, following our rule above, we will ensure that the active ingredients are delivered correctly by keeping them separate from other heavier products. Applying a thicker, moisturizing cream around your eyes can prevent the active ingredients in your eye cream from penetrating the skin and doing their job.
5) Moisturizer – This. Is. A. Must-Have. We cannot emphasize that enough, so we’re going to repeat ourselves. You absolutely need to be moisturizing regardless of skin type or condition. Oily? Acne-prone? Desert-dry and cracking? There is a formula that will work for you. A moisturizer seals in all the other active ingredients in your skincare routine. It prevents them from evaporating while creating a barrier to protect against external elements and pollutants.
6) Sunscreen – Regardless of your climate, you should always wear sunscreen. Even if you only leave the house for a ten-minute run, that’s still enough time for your skin to take a beating. Not to scare you, but skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States and regular use of sunscreen may reduce risks of developing melanoma. So this is important stuff! Always remember this vital final step or find a combo moisturizer with at least SPF 30 for an easy all-in-one solution.
Also Read: How To Remove Blackheads From Your Face?
Evening Skincare Routine – Your evening or nighttime skincare routine should be all about cleansing and nourishing the skin. In most cases, you’ll want to follow these steps:
1) Cleanser – This will be a two-step process for your evening routine. Sorry but not sorry, you’ll thank us later when you have healthy, happy skin. Use an oil cleanser instead of removing your makeup with a wipe, which can be harsh on your skin. An oil cleanser will dissolve all of your makeup, including the waterproof kind, without harsh chemicals or scrubbing. Part B of this process is the cream cleanser you use in the morning. It will continue to break down the makeup and dirt on your face and lift it away.
2) Toner – Apply all the advice and reasons we gave you before.
3) Treatments (Serum, Retinol, for Acne) – This is where you’ll continue with your desired treatments. We already told you all about serums, so we’ll skip the repeat. Retinols are a vitamin A derivative that has been shown to improve skin texture, reduce wrinkles and help with acne. They’re ideally applied at night because they can increase the skin’s sensitivity to the sun. This is also the time for any acne spot treatments you might be using.
4) Moisturizer/Night Cream – You can use the same moisturizer from your morning routine or opt for a night cream instead. A night cream differs from a moisturizer in that it’s typically formulated with ingredients to help the skin repair itself while you sleep. Whichever you choose to use, apply it last.
Don’t Forget the Lips
The lips are often forgotten when it comes to skincare, but they’re just as important as the rest of your face. Lips can become dry, cracked and irritated, which is uncomfortable and unsightly. To keep your lips healthy and happy, make sure to use a lip balm or lip serum every day. A lip balm will help to seal in moisture and protect your lips from the elements, while a lip serum will provide extra nourishment and hydration.
